Box Score Utica, NY (11/2/12)- The Utica College women's ice hockey team got off on the right foot Friday as it downed ECAC West opponent Oswego State, 3-1, at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.  Senor Meghan McMahon (Gardner, MA/St. Marks (MA)) scored the game-winner, while junior Jennifer Hamel (Ithaca, NY/Northwood School) had 23 saves in the win.

After a scoreless first period, Oswego's Olivia Boersen netted her first goal of the season halfway through the second frame.  Boersen picked up a puck that bounced off the end boards and was able to bank it in off Hamel to put the Lakers up 1-0.  Megan Hagg and Bailee Goodon assisted on the tally.

Just under four minutes later, freshman Morgan Reed (Fort Myers, FL/Cushing Academy) scored her first career goal off assists from senior Mary Fusco (Enfield, CT/Salve Regina University) and junior Vanessa Maines (Boxborough, MA/Boston Jr. Shamrocks).  After a faceoff in the offensive zone, Fusco put a shot on net from the blue line.  Maines was able to deflect it just enough to make the rebound pop out to Reed who put a nice back hander in the top right corner to even the score. 

McMahon added her score two minutes later off a give-and-go with junior Megan Myers (Las Vegas, NV/LA Selects).  She collected the puck just outside the Laker zone and tipped the puck to Myers. Myers made a nice play to drag the defender and slid a perfect pass to McMahon who played the puck between the legs of Oswego goalie, Catherine Cote.  Sophomore Courtney May (Oxford, MI/Belle Tire) also added an assist on the short-handed tally.

After a third period filled with a number of penalties, senior Carmen Johnson (Falls Church, VA/Washington Pride) was able to add an insurance goal with 1:28 remaining in the game.  Johnson scooped up a puck at center ice and skated down one on two.  After splitting the defense, she got a shot off while getting knocked down and slipped a low shot through the five-hole to seal the victory.  Junior Brittany DelleChiaie (Leominster, MA/The Winchendon School) and sophomore Samantha Pucci (Pearl River, NY/Connecticut Polar Bears) picked up helpers on the goal.

Hamel shut the door stopping 23 shots, with Cote making 25 saves in the loss.  Oswego drops to 0-2-1 on the season (0-1-0 ECAC West), while Utica moves to 1-0.  The teams will meet again Saturday to wrap up the series.  Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Oswego. 


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